Vehicle



w. F. GERl-IAR'DT ET m. 2,135,073

vEnicLE Nov. 1, 1938.

2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed June 21, 1937 Luz Mm ATTORNEY INVE To. v

w f B Nov. 1, 1938. w. F. GERHARDT ET AL 5,073

VEH I OLE Filed June 21, 1937 2- Sheets-Shet 2 mm Mn 5 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1938 vamcrn William F. Gerhardt and William H. Horn,.

Detroit, Mich.

Application June 21, 1931, Serial No. 149,304

3 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicles, and in particular it relates to a vehicle primarily designed to operate in the air and having in combination a secondary feature of being operable as a land vehicle. g

It is an object of our invention to provide a vehicle universally adaptable to navigate either in the air or on land without requiring. any constructural change in such conversion.

Another object is to provide in combination a landandair-vehicle in which the conversion may be controlled entirely from the drivers seat through suitable control mechanism. A further object of our invention is to utilize means for producing a direct lift in combination with apparatus for compensating the torque of the lift producing means.

A still further object is to utilize a two blade direct lift means whereby when such means is substantially in parallel relation 'with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said means does not project excessively beyond the dimensions ofthe vehicle so as to interfere with its normal operation as a land vehicle.

Further objects of the invention are, the creation of an inexpensive, simple and easily operated mechanism for controlling the operation of the combination vehicle. These and other objects and advantages will appear more fully in the following detailed description when consid-.

ered in connection with the accompanying draw.- ings, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a vehicle embodying features of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a portion of a'side elevational view partly in section illustrating the driving and control mechanisms; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, in section, 40 of a portion of the steering mechanism.

With reference in particular to Figures 1 and 2 we show a vehicle body I generally in stream-line shape simulating a tear-drop profile. The body of the vehicle is reinforced by structural elements 5 (not shown) in accordance with conventional practice in aircraft design. The body I is normally supported by landing wheels 2 and 3 and a tail wheel 4. The landing wheels 2 and 3 connect with axle frames 5 and 6 which are pivotally 50 joined to the body I'of the vehicle.- Conventional shock absorbers I and 3 join with the axle frames 5 and 6 respectively and to the vehicle body I, and function to absorb shocks upon the landing of the vehicle from the air and operate as con- 55 ventional automobile springs during the operathe tion of the vehicle on land. Stream-line fenders or guards 9 -and I0 partially inclose the landing wheels 2 and 3 respectively. The vehicle body, among other conventional features, includes a seating'arrangemeht Ii and a door l2 to facili- 5 tate ingress and egress to and from the vehicle.

Navigation of the vehicle as an aircraft is contingent upon two operating means, a primary screw or vertical lift propeller l3 and a secondary screw or torque compensating propeller l4.

As shown in Fig. 3, the power means comprises an engine I5 positioned on an inclined axis and located aft of the vehicle. Suitable engine supports (not'shown) connect with structural mem-. bers of the body. Associated with the engine I5 is a transmission casev l6 including a conventional planetary type of transmission, a clutch, and a T brake. A shaft I'l extending from the transmission case is supported in bearings forming a part of a gear housing l8.

A double acting clutch sleeve I9 slidably keyed I tothe shaft I1 is adaptable for co-operable engagement with either a bevel gear 20 or a spur gear 21. Both of these gears, normally, are free to rotate about the shaft I1 unless engaged with the clutchsleeve is at which time one of the gears becomes, in eifect, keyed to the shaft II.

The bevel gear 20, associates with means hereinafter described, for driving the tail wheel 4 when the vehicle is operated upon land. The spur ,gear 2| associates with means for driving the verticallift propeller l3 and the torque compensating propeller I 4. Meshing with the gear 2| is a'driven gear-22 keyed to a shaft 23. One end of this shaft 23 is directly connected through universal couplings 24' and 25 to the torque compensating propeller It. The opposite end of the shaft 23'carries a bevel gear 26, keyed thereto,

for meshing with a bevel driven gear 21 for the purpose of driving the vertical lift propeller IS.

A liub 28 is vertically pivoted in alignment with the center of the universal couplings 24 and 25 and is supported by an extension member 29 projecting from ,the gear housing 18. The hub 28'serves as a support for the end of the universal coupling 25 which is rigidly attached to the propeller M. A pin 30 which forms the pivot between the hub 28 and the extension member 29 is secured to the hub 28 and to a worm wheel 3! meshing with a.worm 32. 5

As thus constructed, the axis of the propeller I4 is capable of a horizontal movement up to ninety degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. By pivoting'the axis of the propeller ll, in this manner, it is possible to com- 55 Bevel gears 26 and 21 for driving the vertical lift propeller are supported and contained'within a gear housing 31 attached to the framework of the upper portionof the vehicle body. A tubular member 38 further supports the drive mechanism and encloses the shaft 23. A hub 38 extending from the gear housing 31 and about which the gear 21 is rotatable, is tubular in form so as to provide an aperture through which control means may extend for varying theposition of the blades of the vertical lift propeller. Ahub enclosure 48 contains conventional means (not shown) for controllingvariable pitch blades 4| and 42 forming the vertical lift propeller I3.

A rudder 43 is secured to the hub 28 and is supported by a pin forming a continuation of the pivot pin 38 which joins the hub 28 with the extension member 28. The .rudder, therefore, moves with the hub 28 and is subject to actuation by the controls which impart directional pivot movement to the torque compensating propelv ler I4.

In addition to driving the vertical lift and torque compensating propellers, the motor I5 through the shaft I1 is functionable to drivethe tail wheel 4 when the vehicle is used for operation on land. In such case the operator actuates a hand lever 45 which moves the clutch sleeve I8 along the shaft II so as to engage with the bevel gear 28. The hand lever .5 is pivoted at 46 and an extension arm 41 forming a continuation of the lever 45 pivotally connects with a rod 48 which at its opposite end is hingedly connected to an arm 48 attached to a clutch operating yoke lever 58.

The bevel gear 28 is continually in mesh with a bevel gear 5| positioned on a vertical axis. This gear 5I associates with a vertical drive shaft 52 in a slidable keyed relation. The shaft 52 is supported within a cylindrical housing 53 forminga continuation in part of the gear housing I8 and enclosing mechanism which operates as a conventional shock absorber of the oil or liquid type. In general, it consists of a tubular piston rod 54 which forms the structural element for supporting the tail'wheel 4. The vertical drive shaft 52 extends through the piston rod 54 and' tending from the piston rod 54 and near the lower end of the enclosure 53 is in spaced relation with the piston 58. Interposed between the pistons 58 and 58 is a restriction 88 extending 83 partially covers the tail wheel 4 and is secured to the lower end of the piston rod 54 by means of a flange 84 extending therefrom.

In order to effect means for steering the tail wheel we provide a worm gear 65 slidably keyed to the piston rod 54 and meshing with a worm 55. A shaft 61 attached to the worm. connects with a universal joint 68, the sleeve of which is in slidable keyed relation with a shaft 88. The opposite end of the shaft 68 attaches with manual control means hereinafter described.

Manual controls are provided for positioning the torque compensating propeller I4 and for steering the tail wheel 4. The principal control for accomplishing this purpose is in,the form of a steering wheel I8 which through its associated mechanism is capable of the multiple ..function" of positioning the torque compensating propeller and/or steering the tail wheel, in combination with the conventional function of a joy stick as it relates to longitudinal or lateral move ments or combinations thereof.

Normally the steering wheel 18 is freely rotatable about a tubular steering post II. A flange 12 at the upper end of the steering post II and a collar I3 spaced therefrom retain the steering wheel in proper position. The steering post is supported near its lower end by a yoke bracket 14 longitudinally hinged at I5 to a right angle pin I8 which in turn is laterally hinged to a bracket 11 secured to. a. floor I8 of the vehicle. In this manner of attachment it is possible to move the steering post radially on its pivotal supports in a longitudinal and/or lateral direction without interfering in its function as-a control for operating the torque compensating propeller and/or the tailwheel assembly. I'he purpose of providing the pivotal movement of the steering post is to permit an arm I85 secured at the lower end of the bracket 14 to co-operate with a conventional lever system for varying the pitch of the propeller blades M and 42. A rod I86 extending from the hub enclosure 48 and through the aperture of the gear housing hub 38. exemplifies the manner of control rods with which the arm I85 operates.

It should be noted that in accordance with conventional practice of-controlling the relative positions of the propeller blades M and 42 it is essential that the steering wheel and post, as a joy stick, be pivotally moveable as hereinbefore described.

A bevel gear 8| attached to the steering post II, at its lower end, engages with a bevel gear 82 supported by the bracket I4. This gear 82 is secured to a universal.joint 83 which in turn attaches with the steering rod 68. Thus, axial. rotary movement of the tubular steering post II will operate to actuate pivotally the tail wheel assembly.

In addition to its function in steering the tail,

wheel, the steering control unit also functions to vary the pivotal positions of the torque compensating propeller I4 and the rudder 43. A shaft 84 extends through the tubular steering post II and at its lower end carries a bevel gear 85 which meshes with a bevel gear 86 mounted on the angle pins I8 and I5. A sprocket 81 attached to the gear 86 engages with the chain 34 previously described. I

As shown in particular in Fig. 4, the upper end of the shaft 84 terminates in a flange 88 positioned in adjacent relation with the flange I2 extending from the tubular steering post II. These flanges I2 and 88 are provided with a pluoperate either the tailwheel assembly or the torque compensating propeller and rudder.

When the vehicle is used for operating on land, manual controls are provided n the form of foot pedals 9| and 92. These pedals 9| and 92 are pivotally mounted on a shaft 93 and have arms 94 and 95 extending upwardly-from the shaft 93 but secured respectively to the arms of the pedals 9| and 92. Rods 96 and 91 connect at one end to the arms 94 and 95 respectively, and at the opposite end connect-with bell cranks 98 and 99 respectively. Secondary rods I00 and |0 join with the bell cranks 98 and 99 respectively and are pivotally attached to levers I02 and I03 extending from the transmission case IS.

The foot pedal 9| and its associated control mechanism may thus operate in combination with conventional planetary transmission mechanisms within the transmission housing I5 in a manner so as to provide a first speed or re-' duced gearing ratio when the pedal is entirely depressed, will operate as a clutch in its intermediate position and will producev a direct drive from the motor iii to the shaft II when the pedal 9| is in its uppermost position. The pedal 92 and its associated control mechanism may, for example, function with conventional means within the transmission housing I6 to operate as a brake.

Starting means as a crank handle I04 is provided at one end of the motor I5 in an accessible position to the pilot or operator.

When the vehicle is used in operation on land, means are provided for automatically locking the vertical screw propeller I3 against rotation.

This is accomplished throughthemanual operation of the hand lever 45 which is adaptable to connect the engine I5 with the tail wheel drivin assembly. The rod 48 which connects with the arm 41 forming a continuation of the hand lever 45 pivotally connects witha bell crank I01 adaptable upon axial movement of the rod 48 to cause vertical movement of a rod I08 which engages with a locking pin I09. The engagement with the locking pin I09 is such that the locking pin will not be positively forced into locking position but will operate to lock the 'vertical screw propeller when its blades extend substantially in a longitudinal direction relative to the body of the vehicle.

The locking relation occurs between the locking pin I09 and the vertical screw propeller driven gear 21. Annular indentations I|0 extend into the under side of the driven bevel gear 21 and are positioned in such manner that engagement with the locking pin I09 occurs only when the blades of the vertical screw propeller are positioned in a longitudinal direction relative to the body of .the vehicle. The locking pin I09 extends through the gear housing 31 in complementary relationship with the indentations H0 in the gear 2].

When the rod I08 is moved vertically upward it engages with a spring III which in turn presses against the locking pin I09 moving it against the lower surface of the gear 21. Thereafter, when either of the indentations IIO come into alignment with the locking-pin I09 the pin I09 snaps into locking relation with the gear 21.

An attaching pin II2 secured to the rod I06 is 3 vertically slidable in a slot H3 in the locking pin I09, thusproviding definite means for disengaging the locking pin with the gear 21 upon downward movement of the rod I08.

In the operation of the vehicle Ior travelling on land, the hand lever 45 is first operated so as to place the clutch sleeve I9 in a neutral position between the bevel gear 20 and the spur gear 2|. When this is accomplished the motor I5 may be started and the foot'pedal 9| is depressed to its intermediate position so as to disengage a conventional clutch within the transmission housing I8. After this operation, the hand lever 45 is actuated forward, thus moving the clutch sleeve I9 into engagement with the bevel gear 20. The operator next depresses the foot pedal 9| to its maximum stroke thus placing the trans,- mission mechanism in its first speed position. When the vehicle has been sufficiently accelerated, the pedal 9| may be entirely released, which will in efiect couple the motor I5 in direct driving relation with the shaft I'I. As herein described, the operation of the vehicle on land is substantially similar to the operation of conventional motor vehicles.

The steering apparatus as controlled by the hand wheel I0 connected with the steering post II, functions-to move the tail wheel 4. about its vertical axis to any angular degree. If desired, the tail wheel may be moved to an angle of degrees and the efiect of this movement may beutilized as a substitute for reversing or back ing up the vehicle. However, it is to be understood that conventional means may be employed in co-operation with the planetary transmission mechanism for accomplishing the reversibility accelerator'pedal and other controls usually in- Y cluded in conventional automotive vehicles for controlling the operation of the motor: When it is desired to bring the vehicle to a stop the opera- 0 tor permits the pedal 9| to assume its intermediate position thereby disconnecting the motor I5 from the driving means associated with the tail wheel 4; While the pedal 9| is in its intermediate position the hand lever 45 may be drawn backward to a neutral position so that the gear 201s disengaged from the clutch sleeve I9.-

When the vehicle is to be operated as an aircraft the operator or pilot again depresses the pedal 9| to its intermediate position to disengage the clutch within the transmission housing IS. The pilot thereupon moves the hand lever 45 to a rearward position so that the clutch sleeve I9 engages with the spur gear 2|, When this is accomplished the clutch pedal 9| may be released and the vertical lift screw propeller I3, and the tor'que'compensating propeller I4 will be set into operation. Thereafter, the pilot-may actuate the hand wheel I0, selectively coupled to the steering post 84 through the locking disc 89 for positioning the torque compensating propeller I4 in a proper relation for oiI-setting the torque produced by the vertical lift screw propeller I3. The rudder as. g 

